Improved tribological performance of silica glass via surface texturing by chemical etching

Abstract

This research examined the impact of chemical etching on the friction and wear resistance of glass surfaces. Glass samples were etched using deionized water and ammonium bifluoride solution for 1–60 minutes. The surface morphology, roughness, and wettability were analyzed, and reciprocating sliding tests were performed to evaluate the tribological performance of the etched surfaces compared to bare glass. Finite element analysis was used to examine the stress distribution during indentation. The results showed that chemical etching created micro- and nanoscale surface features that significantly reduced the friction coefficients and improved the wear resistance compared to bare glass, with 10-minute etching showing optimal performance. The enhanced tribological behavior resulted from surface texturing, which dispersed the contact stresses, promoted stable lubricating film formation, and reduced direct asperity contact. This demonstrates the potential of chemical etching as an effective surface modification technique for improving the friction performance of glass in industrial applications.